[blueapplepaste]

Before signing up for the 80/20 plans, I would typically have a rest week every 4 weeks (so 3 on, 1 off). Where during that week it would bey pretty easy.

I’m 8 weeks through the 40k level 2 plan, and am starting to feel pretty fatigued. Legs feeling heavy, etc. I have been running in lieu of the easy rides (super easy zone 2, nothing longer than an hour, with most around 45 min) just to keep some run fitness, as well as swimming 2x/week (usually 1600 – 2000m easy).

I’m also doing an accompanying level 2 strength plan.

It’s felt mostly 8 weeks w/o any time off. I realize some of the weeks had a little less duration or intensity, but it hasn’t ever seemed like “rest”. It’s feeling like I have in the past leading up to a big race, just before the taper – if that makes sense.

Not sure if I should add in a week of easy spinning, reset, and pick back up? Or if I’m just over shooting here and digging myself into a hole.

[Matt Fitzgerald]

It sounds like you’re overreaching and should dial back your training load temporarily. No matter which training plan you’re following, it’s important that you listen to your body and make adjustments as necessary.

[blueapplepaste]

Sounds good. I’ll take a few days easy and then pick back up.

I also wonder how much is mental as I’ve gotten so used to a super super easy rest week once a month over past several years.

Thanks for the quick reply!

[mountainbiker]

Last year, I did 80/20 throughout the winter and season and felt pretty toasted by the end of summer. At the end of late fall, I switched primarily to base training probably along the lines of 95/5 and after one month, I felt completely refreshed despite actually increasing volume. Is there any downside to doing 95/5 or even 100/0 for a couple months during the winter and than switching back to 80/20 as the season approaches?

• This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by mountainbiker.

[Matt Fitzgerald]

There’s no significant downside. It bears mentioning that there’s more than one way to do 80/20. If it ever feels too much, you can simply reduce volume while maintaining an 80/20 intensity balance, and/or you can shift some of the 20 part from high intensity to moderate intensity. In any case, an 80/20 intensity balance is only truly needed when you’re actively pursuing peak fitness.

[mountainbiker]

Thanks Matt. Very helpful.

[Charles]

This is a tough call. When do you surrender to the 80/20 Plan and trust the built in reconvey days and when do you really need to back off? Without an-eyes on coach it’s a dilemma and we need to figure it out ourselves.

I found “Inside a Marathon” by Fauble and Rosario to be a rare gem. Fauble telling how it feels throughout his training segment, and Rosario from the perspective of the outside eyes guiding the process. My take away from the book is that a solid training plan can get you through, but everything is dynamic and invariably adjustments will need to be made; hopefully small if we are alert.

[Author]

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